Alright well I've been looking online for coilover setups for my 97 Ex. I am looking to lower my car in spring since I live in wisconsin it'd be dumb to drop it now. I'm going to somewhat save over winter for 'em, need money for college too, just spent $500 on my Evo2 . What are some good AFFORDABLE coilover setups out there? I don't want to spend 1k on a set up, I don't race on a track, I drive the streets. So for that matter the shocks need to be able to handle some kinda rough roads, at least not bottom out too easy. I was looking at ground control coils on like tokico HPs but I see tonssssssss of bad reviews on HPs that they are ridiculously stiff. I'd rather stay away from just getting like Tien S Techs just because I want to be able to adjust my height, not be stuck with what it gives me. Any suggestions let me know, and like I said I want to keep this under 1k for sure, which that might limit me to just springs. I'd swap out my rear LCA's well I'm at it too. So any suggestions please let me know, thanks.

 

look into skunk 2 or grounds control, not sure what your looking for comfort wise or quality wise.

 

Ground Control coilovers = $325+shipping directly from GC
KYB AGX struts = ~$400


They ride "all right", but be prepared to change struts like you change oil if you drop the car as low as I did. I think the AGX's are warrantied up to a 1.5" drop, and I was dropped twice that up front lol

 

I have tokico's on my car and they are by no means too stiff. I have those and Neuspeed Race springs and its actually one of the more comfy set ups I have had. I would def go with Ground Controls. Shocks up too you. Of course Koni Yellows would be the best, second best would be the AGX's Reaper mentioned.

 

So would say GCs on Tokico HPs be a good combo? I know they fit but with Wisconsin the roads are pretty bad from the winter, obviously I avoid potholes but I don't want to feel every crack as if I had no suspension at all. I'm not worried as much about the feel of the suspension through turns, I don't race on tracks just cruise around the streets. What else would I need to buy? I have 17s on my car and I want to get rid of the fender gap, probably like 2 inches, maybe tuck it a wee bit. I already want to get some Blox LCA's, $100s and a nice bling factor, and since it's a 2 in drop I'll need cambers for front and rear right? Sorry if I'm asking stupid questions but I'm trying to learn as much as I can about this stuff, I know a lot of stuff but it is the technical smaller things I am trying to learn. I've been reading magazines and reading online for years but this is my first car I'm actually putting forth effort and money in and I'm trying to learn as much as I can and get as much experience.

 

You technically don't need camber kits; the negative camber you'd get from dropping a civic 2" won't be enough to cause any noticeable camber wear. As long as you get your toe set back to specifications at a shop, you'll be good. Also, with 17's, you run the chance of rubbing depending on the wheel offset. I got lucky on my old civic, and I managed to buy high-offset wheels when I first started modding, so I didn't have any rubbing issues when I was tucking tire.

As far as what you need, the coilovers and struts should be about it. I'd suggest getting new rear LCA/strut-mount bolts, though. If you want to extend the life of your struts, I'd suggest GC extended top-hats, but you can always add those later.

 

Alright well my rims are 40s so from I hear they should be okay...

 

You dont need camber kits. Like Reaper said, just get the toe straight. And the GC top hats are deff money well spent...I'd buy those instead of the LCAs. With 17s you won't be able to go quite as low, its a little harder to tuck some tire with 17s even with +40s. Seriously, just the extra +2 makes a big difference, most people tucking with 17s have +42 or higher.

 

Hmm okay well I want the wheel gap gone for sure, I'm riding monster status atm... I feel like I'm driving a truck (exaggeration). I may sell my Drags next summer anyway, see if any good Rotas come up on CL over the winter. 17s are as big as I'd go but I'd loev to go smaller.

 

+45mm offsets represent!




But seriously... as far as wheel size goes, EGs seem to look best with 15's and EKs look amazing with 16's.




And it's not hard to tuck tire with 17's. It's just hard to drive with tucked 17's